Senior Chemical Engineer - Product Development

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement contributions

Professional growth through training

Bonus potential

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer to join the Product Development team in Queenstown. You will drive the research, development, and scale-up of new chemical products from bench to pilot plant, applying your advanced engineering knowledge.

The role offers a hybrid work model with on-site collaboration at our Queenstown R&D center and remote data analysis and documentation. You will work with R&D, marketing, and manufacturing to translate concepts into scalable processes.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in chemical product and process development.
• Experience with lab-scale experiments and pilot plant operations.
• Proficiency in Aspen Plus and ChemCAD for process simulation.
• Strong knowledge of kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development from concept to commercialization of new chemical products and processes.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials.
• Use process simulation to optimize conditions and separation strategies.
• Analyze data and propose product/process improvements.
• Collaborate with R&D, marketing, and manufacturing.
• Prepare technical reports, proposals, and patent disclosures.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and quality standards compliance.
• Troubleshoot challenges during development and scale-up.
• Stay abreast of advancements in chemical engineering and materials science.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio.

Skills

Kinetics

Thermodynamics

Transport phenomena

Laboratory testing

Pilot plant ops

Data analysis

Technical writing

Hybrid work

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

ChemCAD

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leader in specialty polymers and advanced materials, is seeking a highly motivated Senior Chemical Engineer to join their innovative Product Development team in **Queenstown, Eastern Cape**. This role is central to the research, development, and commercialization of new chemical products and processes. You will apply your extensive knowledge of chemical engineering principles to design, test, and scale-up novel materials, working from laboratory bench scale through to pilot plant trials. The position involves a hybrid work model, allowing for collaborative work at our **Queenstown** R&D center combined with remote flexibility for data analysis and documentation. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive innovation and contribute to the company's technological advancements in a challenging and rewarding environment. We are looking for creative problem-solvers who are passionate about bringing new chemical solutions to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new chemical products and processes from concept to commercialization.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments and pilot plant trials to evaluate product performance and process feasibility.
• Utilize process simulation and modeling tools to optimize reaction conditions and separation strategies.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and provide recommendations for product and process improvements.
• Collaborate closely with R&D scientists, marketing teams, and manufacturing personnel.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, research proposals, and patent disclosures.
• Ensure all development activities comply with safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Troubleshoot technical challenges encountered during product development and scale-up.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in chemical engineering and materials science.
• Contribute to the intellectual property portfolio of the company.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in chemical product and process development, preferably in specialty chemicals or materials.
• Strong background in chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena.
• Proven experience with laboratory-scale experimentation, pilot plant operations, and scale-up principles.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, ChemCAD) and data analysis tools.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a creative approach to innovation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a hybrid setting, balancing on-site and remote tasks at our **Queenstown** R&D center.
• Experience with polymer chemistry or materials science is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package.
• This includes excellent health coverage, retirement contributions, and opportunities for professional growth through specialized training and conference participation.
• The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility, while the **Queenstown** location offers access to a growing research and development community.
• We foster a collaborative and innovative work culture, providing the resources and support needed for success.
• Potential for bonuses based on project success and patent achievements.
• This role is key to the future innovation pipeline of the company.